I Dreamt...A book about hope - Gabriela Olmos

This beautiful book can be used around Remembrance Day but for so many other things as well.  As I was reading I thought about a scenario where kids may be talking about war, guns and drugs and seeming insensitive.  This would be a beautiful addition to a serious conversation. 

The book was created by Mexican artists as a fundraiser for the IBBY Fund for Children in Crisis.  Bibliotherapy is when books and reading is used to help children who have lived through wars, civil conflicts and natural disasters.  Using their reading they think and talk about their experiences.  Children who have not know disaster would also benefit from learning how children other than themselves use literature to cope.

You could use this book for an art project.  They could recreate or create their own work based on what they read.  The use of font style can be discussed for their own artwork and how the font style affects the feeling of the illustrations.

There are some hugely moving quotes that can be taken from this book and used individually.  I believe students can do a reading response from lines such as:

'I dreamt...that danger could be cut into confetti if only you could find the right pair of scissors.'
Oh my.
How about...
'When I woke up I remembered that for many kids life is more of a nightmare than a sweet dream.'

Where the  discussion can lead is dependent on how the students respond to statements such as these.

I love this book.

The Invisible Boy - Trudy Ludwig

"A story with heart and soul.  The Invisible Boy brings the power of kindness and compassion into focus." Mia Doces, Committee for Children

The power of one.  If we can truly teach children that they can make a difference, what power we can instill in each student!  Trudy Ludwig has written many books dealing with bullying and this one is great.  I read it to Abby, who is 7 and she needed a little bit of time to realize that the boy really isn't invisible, just quiet and outside of the action.  I think everyone can relate to this subject in some way.  Abby was thrilled to see that Brian's colour was beginning to show.  This is a book where kids will read the pictures as much as they will listen to the text.  It was very clear to my 7 year old that a little gesture can make a big difference to someone who feels that they aren't 'seen'. 

This book can start a great discussion.  For one thing they can try and remember to extend a little kindness to someone who seems to be on the outskirts of a group.  As well, it's so interesting for me to talk to kids about what makes someone popular.  Like Justin in the book, why do people gravitate to some kids and not to others?  It's not always obvious.  I clearly remember having a talk with some grade 6 girls recently.  Two new girls started the same day, one was 'cool' from day one and the other was not.  When I asked the 'uncool' one was this was so, she couldn't articulate the reason.  Just that everyone wanted to be the other girl's friend right away.

I love when authors add questions to their books!  I asked some of them to Abby ad would definitely use these in a class.  Group reading responses to this book would be a great activity.  Look for my blogs on Written Conversations or Placemat Reading Response and use one or a few of the following questions:

-Have you ever tried to join a group game or activity and other kids wouldn't let you?  If yes, how did that make you feel?

-Have you ever intentionally excluded other kids from joining your group game or activity?  If yes, why?

-When Madison and her friends talked about her birthday party in front of Brian, do you think they were just being thoughtless or were they being mean to Brian on purpose?  Explain.

-Which do you think is worse - being laughed at or feeling invisible?  Explan.  (Abby said being laughed at)

And I LOVE the recommended reading for adults and kids - a great feature!  See my Page about great anti bullying books to read to/with your students.